Evaluation the Impact of Self-Stigma Reduction Program on Psychosocial Outcomes Among People Diagnosed With Schizophrenia
Evaluation the Impact of Self-Stigma Reduction Program on Psychosocial Outcomes Among People Diagnosed With Schizophrenia
Backgrounds: Research evidence suggests that people diagnosed with schizophrenia (PDwS) experience higher level of stigma compared with other forms of mental illness, and they are prone to internalize stereotype, which exacerbates severity of psychiatric symptoms, reduces their psychosocial treatment adherence. The purpose of the study to evaluate the effectiveness of stigma reduction program on the perceived stigma, psychiatric symptoms, compliance with psychosocial intervention and self-efficacy.
Methods: A randomized controlled trial was conducted from November 2017 to December 2018 with 278 PDwS. Participants aged 18 years or older with DSM-IV schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder, from four outpatient mental health clinics in Jordan, were randomly assigned to receive 13 sessions of a booklet form of stigma reduction program (n = 140) (psycho-education, cognitive behavioural therapy and social skills training), and treatment as usual [TAU] (intervention, n = 140), or TAU (control, n = 138). Participants were assessed at baseline, immediately post-intervention (post-treatment1) and at six months follow-up. The primary outcome measure was change in stigma perception. Secondary outcomes were psychiatric symptoms, compliance with psychosocial interventions and self-efficacy.
Eligibility Criteria
Exclusion criteria were:
- People diagnosed with schizophrenia who had a learning disability, with known organic mental disorder, substance abuse